What to Expect

Construction

A future in construction

Build the world around you by translating ideas and plans into reality.

Construction is the process of constructing a building or infrastructure. Construction as an industry comprises six to nine percent of the gross domestic product of developed countries and starts with planning, design, and financing; and continues until the project is built and ready for use.

What’s it like to work in the field of construction?

ASK A CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN

“A lifelong career in construction gives you satisfaction by using the skills you’ve learned to build and create infrastructure that people depend on daily.”

There are many routes to the different careers within the construction industry. These three main tiers are based on educational background and training.

Unskilled and semi-skilled – General site labor with little or no construction qualifications.

Skilled – Tradesmen who’ve served apprenticeships, typically in labor unions, and on-site managers who possess extensive knowledge and experience in their craft or profession.

Technical and management – Personnel with the greatest educational qualifications, usually graduate degrees, trained to design, manage and instruct the construction process.

Skilled occupations include carpenters, electricians, plumbers, ironworkers, masons, and many other manual crafts, as well as those involved in project management. In the UK these require further education qualifications, often in vocational subject areas. These qualifications are either obtained directly after the completion of compulsory education or through “on the job” apprenticeship training.

CAREERS

The construction industry is always in need of skilled professionals. Check out some of the careers available in the field.

There are many skills that are required in order to be successful in the construction industry. Because the field of construction is so broad and interacts with so many other segments of the work force, people involved in construction must develop many various skills such as strong decision making and communication skills. Using computer applications or technical tools to operate machinery or to input/extract information, Job Task Planning and Organizing. Working independently to plan and organize daily tasks, and conveying or exchanging information in writing or verbally. Working with numbers to perform calculations, problem solving, planning, and interacting with co-workers to get the job done.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

The ACE Program is open to any high school student who has the curiosity and drive to learn about a career in design and construction — from contracting and engineering to architecture and landscaping.

EDUCATION BEYOND TEXT BOOKS
By working with real professionals in real work environments, ACE students receive an invaluable hands-on education — they learn to understand the day-to-day workings of a business by living it, and experiencing it, not just reading about it.